Condiment bottle

ABSTRACT

A bottle formed of a food-grade plastic material, such as clear polyethylene terephthalate, may include a frustoconical neck portion, a shoulder region, a base region, and a sidewall portion have opposed grip-enhancing surfaces, and elastically deformable pressure panels. A cap for the container may include a valve to control product leakage, and may be sized to allow inversion of the bottle. A generally trapezoidal tab of the cap may be moveable between a closed position covering a cap orifice and an open position outside the plane of the cap.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/477,903, filed Jun. 30, 2006, by Wayne C. Cleary et al., the entirecontents of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

This disclosure generally concerns a plastic condiment bottle. Moreparticularly, this disclosure generally relates to a stable, invertablebottle adapted for refrigerator storage.

SUMMARY

A bottle according to the preferred embodiment includes a container anda closure which may be in the form of a cap. The cap may be generallycylindrical, generally frustoconical, or generally polygonal. In someembodiments, the cap may include a generally trapezoidal tab moveablebetween open and closed positions. At the closed position, the tabpreferably covers a dispensing orifice of the cap. At the open position,the tab may be engaged by a detent arrangement that holds the tab belowthe plane of the cap.

An embodiment of the container portion of the bottle may include a neckhaving a cap end to which the cap may be threadably connected. The neckmay join a shoulder region which, in turn, may join a sidewall region.That sidewall region may join a base region adapted to support thebottle in an upright position. In a preferred embodiment, the shoulderregion and the base region may be similarly shaped, and may be generallyoctogonal.

Preferably, the sidewall region has cross-sectional dimensions that aresmaller than corresponding cross-sectional dimensions of the base andshoulder regions. The sidewall region may include a pair of sidesurfaces adapted to enhance the gripability of the container. Thesidewall region preferably includes a pair of pressure panels on opposedmajor surfaces of the container. These pressure panels have a peripheralregion and a central region, where the central region is constructed tobe more easily elastically deformed when subjected to squeezing pressurethat is the peripheral region.

Proportions of the bottle may preferably be selected so that the bottleis accommodated by typical door shelving of a refrigerator. To that end,the cross-section of the container may generally rectangular orgenerally octagonal, or generally polygonal.

An invertable bottle according to the preferred embodiment is adaptedfor storage in both an upright position and an inverted position.Inverted storage positions are both useful and important for viscousmaterials which may not readily move from one end of the bottle to theother for dispensing purposes. To restrict product leakage from thebottle, the cap may also include a valve element covering the innerportion of the cap orifice.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Many objects and advantages of the bottle according to this descriptionwill be apparent to those skilled in the art when this writtenspecification is read in conjunction with the appended drawings whereinlike reference numerals are applied to like elements, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an invertable bottle according to thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the invertable bottle of FIG. 1with the cap opened;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the invertable bottle of FIG. 2with the cap opened;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the invertable bottle of FIG. 1 with the capclosed;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 5-5 of FIG. 4, butwhere the cap is open;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 6-6 of FIG. 4, butwhere the cap is open;

FIG. 7 is a cross-section view taken along the line 7-7 of FIG. 6; and

FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the container.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT:

Turning now to FIG. 1, a preferred embodiment of a bottle 20 is shown.The bottle 20 is suitable for use in packaging and marketing productssuch as condiments. Typical condiments are mustard, relish, mayonnaise,salsa, tomato ketchup, and the like. Where a particular condiment iswidely used, a large container may be desired. For purposes of thisdescription, a large container means a container having a volumetriccapacity ranging from 40 to 64 fluid ounces or more.

The bottle 20 preferably includes a container 22 to which a cap 24 maybe attached. The cap 24 may be attached to the container 22 in anydesired manner. Preferably, the cap 24 may be attached with a threadedconnection so that the cap 24 can be removed for access to the contentsof the container 22. Alternatively, however, the cap 24 may be connectedto the container 22 using a snap-on connection, or any other suitableconnecting arrangement.

Preferably, the container 22 and the cap 24 are fabricated from suitableconventional food-grade plastic materials. For example, the container 22may be fabricated from polyethylene terephthalate. For applicationswhere it is desirable to see the contents of the container 22, thecontainer may be fashioned from a clear, or substantially transparentmaterial. For purposes of this description, a substantially transparentmaterial includes those materials which are transparent, as well asmaterials that are sufficiently translucent that the level of contentsin the container 22 can be evaluated without removing the cap 24 fromthe container 22.

The cap 24 includes a flat, generally planar top surface 26. Byproviding a flat top surface 26, the surface can function to support thebottle in an inverted position should a consumer elect to do so. Inaddition, the cap 24 includes a body portion 30 which extends downwardlyfrom a periperal edge 28 of the top surface 26. Where the top surface 26is generally circular, a side surface 32 of the body portion 20 may begenerally cylindrical, or generally frustoconical. For purposes of thisdescription generally cylindrical should be interpreted to include apurely cylindrical surface as well as a surface including one or morecylindrical portions. Similarly, for purposes of this description,generally frustoconical should be interpreted to include a surface thatis purely frustoconical as well as a surface having one or morefrutoconical portions. If desired, the cap 24 may include knurling,parallel ridges 34, or the like that may enhance a consumer's grip onthe cap 24 during attachment to or removal from the container 22.

For an application where the bottle 20 will be used to both dispense andstore a condiment, the cap 24 may include a cap orifice through whichsuch dispensing may occur. To cover that cap orifice during storage, thecap 24 may include an openable tab 36 positioned in the flat top surface26. The tab 36 may be connected with the body portion 30 of the cap 24by an integral hinge 38. Moreover, the tab 36 may extend to theperipheral edge 28 of the top surface 26 so that an edge 40 of the tab36 is accessible to a consumer to facilitate opening the tab 36.

The tab 36 is movable between a first closed position illustrated inFIG. 1 and a second, fully opened position 36′ shown in FIG. 3. In thefully opened position 36′, the tab 36 may be engaged by a conventionalfrictional detent of the cap body 30 to hold the tab 36 out of the pathof any condiment that may be dispensed. To this end, the hinge 38 of thetab 36 is positioned at or below the plane of the top surface 26 of thecap 24. Moreover, the fully opened position 36′ is arranged so that thetab 36 is substantially below the plane of the top surface 26. The word“below” has a positional and orientational connotation that is notintended for purposes of this description. Rather, the word “below” isintended as a short-hand reference to the concept that the tab ispositioned relative to the top surface 26 on the same side of thatsurface 26 as the container 22. The phrase “substantially below” isintended to encompass an arrangement where a minor portion of the tapmay protrude above the plane of the top surface 26.

While various shapes of the tab 36 are within the contemplation of thisdisclosure, a preferred shape is the generally trapezoidal arrangementdepicted in FIGS. 1, 3, 4, and 5. As best seen in FIG. 2, the edgesurface 40 of the tab 36 may be slightly curved. As also seen in FIG. 2,the corners of the tab 36 need not be sharp. Rather, the corners may berounded or filleted. The phrase “generally trapezoidal” as used in thisdescription is intended to encompass trapezoidal shapes of the typedescribed and illustrated. From FIG. 2 it can also be seen that theunderside of the tab 36 includes a generally cylindrical collar 42. Thatcollar 42 is sized to receive a projection 44 of the cap body 30 whichsurrounds the cap orifice. Accordingly, when the tab 36 is in the closedposition, cooperation between the projection 44 of the cap body and thecollar 42 of the tab 36 is effective to substantially seal the containercontents.

Although the tab 36 has been illustrated and described as beinggenerally trapezoidal, other shapes for the tab are also within thecontemplation of this disclosure. For example, the tab 36 might besubstantially quadrilateral, substantially elliptical, oval,substantially polygonal, and like. For purposes of this description, theword “substantially” is intended to encompass not only the precisegeometric shape but also shapes having similar defining characteristicsbut being variations that may include rounded corners, rounded sides,and other deviations from precise geometric characterization.

Turning to FIG. 5, the cap 24 preferably includes an internally threadedcollar 48 which is substantially concealed by the body 32 of the cap 24.The threaded collar 48 has threads which conform to external threadsprovided on the cap end 60 of the container 22. Surrounding the cap end60 of the container 22 is a radially outwardly extending, frustoconicalsurface 62. When the cap 24 is securely attached to the container 22,the bottom edge 50 of the cap 24 is spaced from the frustoconicalsurface by a small gap, preferably in the range of about 15 to about 50thousandths of an inch. That small gap between the container and thebottom edge of the cap insures that the top of the container finish(i.e., the top surface) contacts the inner sealing surface of the cap24. That contact is assured even where the container initially includesa seal that is removed to permit access to the container contents. Withthat arrangement, should the bottle be inverted and rest on the flatsurface of its cap 24, the bottle is stable against tipping.

In applications where the bottle is intended for inverted storage, theorifice 46 (see FIG. 6) is preferably provided with a valve 49 toregulate dispensing of product from the container 22. The valve 48 maybe integrally attached to an inner portion of the cap body 32. Asuitable valve 48 may comprise a membrane extending across the caporifice 46, where the membrane has an arcuate portion directed towardthe container 22. The arcuate portion of the membrane may be providedwith a intersecting slits to define a plurality of generally triangularleaves. When contents of the container are pressurized for dispensing,the triangular leaves bend toward the open end of the cap orifice 46allowing product to pass through the cap orifice. When the dispensingpressure is released, the triangular leaves spring back to theiroriginal position and operate to block passage of product through thecap orifice 46. The leaves of the valve are sufficiently resilient thatthey do not bend open unless the applied pressure exceeds the hydraulicstatic head pressure generated by a full container of condiment.

The container 22 (see FIG. 2) includes the cap end 60 which extends to ashoulder region 62. Extending between the cap end 60 and the shoulderregion 64 is a neck portion 66 that may be include a frustoconicalsurface portion. The neck portion 66 also includes a radially enlargedrib 68 adjacent to the cap 24. The rib 68 may comprise part of atoroidal surface, or another surface of revolution. Regardless of itsprecise shape, the rib 68 includes the frustoconical surface 62 shown inFIG. 5. The rib 68 functions to define a groove 70 so that the container22 can be securely held near the cap 24 without slipping.

As best seen in FIG. 4, the shoulder region 64 has a cross-sectionalcontour or shape that is generally octagonal. Each of two opposed ends72, 74 of the shoulder region are formed by three correspondingsubstantially straight sides. Two opposed major sides 76, 78 of theshoulder region 64 extend between the opposed ends 72, 74 and aregenerally curved.

The container 22 also includes a bottom region 80 (see FIG. 2) spacedfrom the shoulder region 64 but having a cross-sectional contoursubstantially similar to the cross-sectional contour of the shoulderregion 64. The bottom region 80 also defines the bearing surface 82 onwhich the container 22 rests when standing in its upright position. Thebearing surface 82 may be generally rectangular, but is positionedwithin the cross-sectional contour of the bottom region 80 (see FIG. 8).More particularly, the bearing surface 82 may be fashioned as fourgenerally arcuate sides 81, 83. The arcuate sides 83 extend to themaximum thickness or depth of the container consistent with allowing amolding fillet at the bottom edge of the bqase portion of the container.The second pair of arcuate sides 81 extend in the width direction of thecontainer, and can allow a generous molding fillet at the bottom edge ofthe base portion of the container. With this shape and location, thecontainer provides exceptional stability against tipping.

A side wall region 84 extends between the shoulder region 64 and thebase region 80 of the container 22. As best seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, thesidewall region 84 has dimensions that are smaller than correspondingdimensions of the cross-sectional contour of the shoulder region 64 andthe cross sectional contour of the base region 80. This arrangementpermits the thickness of the container 22 to be sized to comfortably fitin a normal-size hand between the thumb and opposed fingers. Moreover,this arrangement defines protrusions that permit the container to beheld upright without slipping downwardly through the hand and to be heldinverted without slipping downwardly through the hand.

To further enhance the secureness of a hand grip, the sidewall portion84 includes a pair of gripping surfaces 86, one on each side of thecontainer 22. Each gripping surface 84 may include, for example, aplurality of transverse ribs 88 to comfortably engage a hand between thethumb and fingers to resist slippage. While ribs have been illustrated,other grip-enhancing structures could be substituted, as desired.

The sidewall region 84 further includes a pair of opposed squeezablepanels 90, 92 (see FIG. 3). The squeezable panels 90, 92 comprise majorsurfaces of the container 22, and a located between the shoulder region64 and the base region 80. Each squeezable panel 90, 92 has a peripheralregion 94 and a central region 96. The peripheral region 94 iscontiguous with the two gripping surfaces 84, the shoulder region 64,and the base region 80. The central region 96 is surrounded by theperipheral region 94. The central region 96 is elastically deformable inresponse to pressure applied by a thumb or by one or more fingers.Moreover, the central region 96 elastically deforms with less pressurethan is required to elastically deform the peripheral region 94 by thesame amount. Further, the wall thickness of the squeezable panel 90 isselected such that both the central region 96 and the peripheral region94 remain free of creases during elastic deformation in response toapplied pressure.

Operation of the squeezable panel 90, 92 may be better understood by anexamination of FIGS. 2, 6 and 7. In cross section (FIG. 6), the portionof the shoulder region 64 adjacent to the squeezable panels 90, 92resembles a U-shaped top channel member. The top channel member (seeFIG. 2) is also curved downwardly open at its center. That complexthree-dimensional configuration provides a top channel member which isquite stiff against bending and flexing. Similarly, in cross section theportion of the base region 80 (FIG. 6) adjacent to the squeezable panels90, 92 also resembles a U-shaped channel member. As such, this bottomchannel member is also quite stiff against bending and flexing. As bestseen in FIG. 7, the grippable panels 86 along each side of the containergenerally resemble U-shaped side channel members fashioned fromsubstantially straight side portions, where these side channel membersare adjacent to the squeezable panels 90, 92. Here again, these sidechannel members are quite stiff against bending and flexing. With thecentral region 96 of each squeezable panel being spaced from the framecreated by the four channel members, the least resistance to squeezingis located at the center of each of the squeezable panels 90, 92.

The bottle of this disclosure exhibits improved stability againsttipping when compared to earlier large volume condiment containers, thatimproved stability occurs both for upright and inverted positions of thebottle. Tipping stability is accomplished by a variety of features ofthe bottle. As seen in FIG. 5, the distance between the planar surface26 of the cap 24 and the shoulder region 64 is less that the distancebetween the shoulder region and the bearing surface 82. With thatarrangement, the center of gravity for a full container lies in thebottom half of the container 22 in the upright position. And, the centerof gravity for a full container lies closer to the planar surface 26 ofthe cap than for a conventional bottle. Since a lower center of gravityenhances stability, the short neck region described above promotesstability. As the contents of the bottle are removed or used, theproduct level in the bottle 20 is lowered in both the upright and theinverted positions. Accordingly, the center of gravity for the bottle 20becomes even closer to the bearing surface 82 in the upright positionand to the planar surface 26 of the cap 24 in the inverted position.Thus, as the bottle empties, stability in both the upright and invertedpositions is enhanced relative to the full bottle.

In the inverted position, there are additional features of the bottle 20that provided enhanced tipping stability. More specifically, the cap 24of the bottle 20 is sized to promote tipping stability. The cap 24 willhave a nominal transverse dimension regardless of its peripheral shape.For example, a generally square cap would have a nominal dimensioncorresponding to the distance between its sides. A generally pentagonalcap would have a nominal dimension corresponding to the distance fromone corner to the opposite side. In the case of a generally cylindricalcap 24, the nominal transverse dimension would be a diameter of the cap24.

As seen in FIG. 5, the container 22 has a nominal transverse dimensionwhich may be selected as the maximum width of the shoulder region 64. Ifviewed from FIG. 6, the container 22 also has a nominal transversedimension which may be selected as the maximum thickness or depth of theshoulder region 64. For stability purposes, a ratio of the cap nominaldimension to the predetermined container nominal transverse dimensionpreferably lies in the range of about 0.4 to about 1.0. Where thepredetermined container transverse dimension is selected as the width ofthe shoulder region 64, a more preferred ratio of the cap nominaldimension to the predetermined width is about 0.6. Where thepredetermined container transverse dimension is selected as thethickness of the shoulder region, a more preferred ratio of the capnominal dimension to the predetermined thickness is about 0.44.

Another way at characterizing the proportions of the bottle is torecognize that the container 22 has a height measured between thebearing surface 82 and the top of the cap end 62. Non cylindricalcontainers will also have a major transverse width and a minortransverse width, both being measured substantially perpendicular to theheight. Tipping stability is enhanced where the ratio of such majorwidth to the height lies in the range of about 0.4 to about 0.6 and theratio of such minor width to the height lies in the range of about 0.3to about 0.36.

Another significant attribute of the bottle 20 having the featuresdescribed above concerns its storability in conventional householdrefrigerators. Consumer often face an insufficiency of storage space intheir refrigerators. Large volume containers that need refrigerationafter being opened often exacerbate such storage space insufficiencies.In recent years, refrigerator manufacturers have addressed that storageissue by providing shelving on the inside of the refrigerator door. Suchrefrigerator door shelving typically has a nominal depth and usuallyincludes a fence or barrier having a nominal height. Usually the shelfnominal depth is on the order of 4 to 5 inches, while the shelf fenceheight is also on the order of 4 to 5 inches. Moreover, shelves arespaced vertically from one another by a distance sufficient toaccommodate half-gallon or two-liter soda or juice containers.

The bottle 20 described above is also designed for storage on suchshelves of a typical refrigerator door. To this end, the height of thebottle 20 preferably does not exceed about 10 inches. Moreover, thenominal transverse depth of the container 22 is preferably selected tobe less than the typical shelf depth. In addition, the distance from theplanar surface 26 of the cap 24 to the shoulder region 64 is preferablyselected to be less that the typical shelf fence height. With theseconstraints on the bottle proportions and the tipping stabilityconsiderations, the bottle 20 is adapted for refrigerator door storagethat is stable against tipping in both the upright and invertedpositions of the bottle.

Where the term “about” has been used in this description and isassociated with a numerical value, it is intended to encompass atolerance of 5% above and below the associated numerical value.

It will now be apparent that a unique bottle has been described in theforegoing detailed description, which description is intended to beillustrative and not limiting. Moreover, it will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art that numerous modifications, variations, andequivalents exist for features of the bottle that have been described.Accordingly, it is expressly intended that all such modifications,variations, and equivalents that fall within the spirit and scope of theinvention as defined by the appended claims be embraced by thoseappended claims.

1. A condiment bottle comprising: a shaped, one-piece containerfashioned from synthetic plastic material having a neck with a cap endand a second end, a non-circular shoulder region integral with thesecond end of the neck and having a U-shaped cross-sectional contour andcurved downwardly away from the cap end, a non-circular base regionspaced from the shoulder region and having a base U-shapedcross-sectional contour curved upwardly toward the cap end, and opposedsidewall regions extending between the shoulder region and the baseregion, the shoulder region, base, and sidewall regions defining a pairof squeezable panels, the shoulder region cross-sectional contour beingsubstantially similar to the base region cross-sectional contour, thesidewall having a cross-sectional contour with dimensions smaller thatthe shoulder region cross-sectional contour; and a cap attached to thecap end of the container neck, having a generally planar exposedsurface.
 2. The condiment bottle of claim 1, wherein the distance fromthe exposed surface of the cap to the shoulder region is less that thedistance between the shoulder region and the base region.
 3. Thecondiment bottle of claim 1, wherein the cap end of the neck includes atoroidal surface adjacent to the cap end to enhance portability of thebottle.
 4. The condiment bottle of claim 3, wherein the neck includes agenerally frustoconical surface.
 5. The condiment bottle of claim 3,wherein the neck includes a toroidal enlargement adjacent to the capend, and wherein the frustoconical surface is part of the toroidalenlargement.
 6. The condiment bottle of claim 1 wherein the body portionof the bottle includes a pair of gripping surfaces disposed between theshoulder region and the base region.
 7. The condiment bottle of claim 1wherein at least one of the squeezable panels has a peripheral regionand a central region surrounded by the peripheral region, wherein thecentral region elastically deforms with less pressure than required toelastically deform the peripheral region.
 8. The condiment bottle ofclaim 7 wherein the central region remains free of creases duringelastic deformation.
 9. The condiment bottle of claim 1 wherein the capincludes an orifice and a pressure actuated valve covering the orificeto restrict product leakage when the bottle is inverted.
 10. Thecondiment bottle of claim 1 wherein the cap includes an orifice and agenerally trapezoidal tab having a closed position where the tab coversthe orifice.
 11. The condiment bottle of claim 10 wherein the generallytrapezoidal tab has an opened position with a detent operable to holdthe tab below the generally planar exposed surface of the cap.
 12. Thecondiment bottle of claim 1 wherein the container has a predeterminedtransverse dimension measured in the direction of the generally planarexposed surface, the cap has a nominal dimension measured in thedirection of the generally planar exposed surface, and the ratio of thecap nominal dimension to the predetermined container transversedimension lies in the range of about 0.4 to about 1.0.
 13. The condimentbottle of claim 12 wherein the ratio of cap nominal dimension to thepredetermined transverse dimension is about 0.6.
 14. The condimentbottle of claim 13 wherein the ratio of the cap nominal dimension to thepredetermined transverse dimension is about 0.44.
 15. The condimentbottle of claim 13 wherein the cap is generally cylindrical and whereinthe cap nominal dimension is a diameter of the cap.
 16. The condimentbottle of claim 1 wherein the container has a height, a major width, anda minor width, the ratio of the major width to the height being in rangeof about 0.4 to about 0.6, and the ratio of the minor width to theheight being in the range of about 0.3 to about 0.36.
 17. The condimentbottle of claim 1 wherein the height does not exceed about 10 inches.18. The condiment bottle of claim 1 wherein the container comprisespolyethylene terephthalate.
 19. The condiment bottle of claim 1 whereinthe container comprises blow-molded food-grade plastic material.
 20. Thecondiment bottle of claim 18 wherein the container is substantiallytransparent.
 21. The condiment bottle of claim 1 containing a condiment.22. The condiment bottle of claim 1 containing ketchup.
 23. Thecondiment bottle of claim 1 wherein the container has an internal volumeof at least 40 fluid ounces.
 24. A container comprising: a shaped,one-piece vessel fashioned from synthetic plastic material, having aneck with an open end having an exposed edge and a second end, anon-circular shoulder region integral with the second end of the neckand having a U-shaped cross-sectional contour curved downwardly awayfrom the neck, a non-circular base region spaced from the shoulderregion and having a base U-shaped cross-sectional contour curvedupwardly toward the neck, and opposed sidewall regions extending betweenthe shoulder region and the base region, the shoulder region, base, andopposed sidewall regions defining opposed squeezable panels, theshoulder region cross-sectional contour being substantially similar tothe base region cross-sectional contour, the sidewall having across-sectional contour with dimensions smaller that the shoulder regioncross-sectional contour; wherein the distance from the exposed edge ofthe open end to the shoulder region is less than the distance betweenthe shoulder region and the base region.
 25. The container of claim 24,wherein the open end of the neck includes a toroidal surface adjacent tothe second end to enhance portability of the bottle.
 26. The containerof claim 25, wherein the neck includes a generally frustoconicalsurface.
 27. The container of claim 26, wherein the neck includes atoroidal enlargement adjacent to the open end, and wherein thefrustoconical surface is part of the toroidal enlargement.
 28. Thecontainer of claim 24 wherein the body portion of the bottle includes apair of gripping surfaces disposed between the shoulder region and thebase region.
 29. The container of claim 24 wherein at least one of thesqueezable panels has a peripheral region and a central regionsurrounded by the peripheral region, wherein the central regionelastically deforms with less pressure than required to elasticallydeform the peripheral region.
 30. The container of claim 29 wherein thecentral region remains free of creases during elastic deformation. 31.The container of claim 24 wherein the container has a predeterminedtransverse dimension, a frustoconical surface having a nominaldimension, and the ratio of the frustoconical surface nominal dimensionto the predetermined container transverse dimension lies in the range ofabout 0.4 to about 1.0.
 32. The container of claim 31 wherein the ratioof the frustoconical surface nominal dimension to the predeterminedwidth is about 0.6.
 33. The container of claim 31 wherein the ratio ofthe frustoconical surface nominal dimension to the predeterminedthickness is about 0.44.
 34. The container of claim 24 wherein thecontainer has a height, a major width, and a minor width, the ratio ofthe major width to the height being in range of about 0.4 to about 0.6,and the ratio of the minor width to the height being in the range ofabout 0.3 to about 0.36.
 35. The container of claim 24 wherein theheight does not exceed about 10 inches.
 36. The container of claim 24wherein the container comprises polyethylene terephthalate.
 37. Thecontainer of claim 24 wherein the container comprises blow-moldedfood-grade plastic material.
 38. The container of claim 37 wherein thecontainer is substantially transparent.
 39. The container of claim 24wherein the container has an internal volume of at least 40 fluidounces.
 40. A container comprising: a shaped, one-piece vessel fashionedfrom synthetic plastic material, having a neck with an open end havingan exposed edge and a second end, a non-circular shoulder regionintegral with the second end of the neck, having a downwardly curvedU-shaped cross-sectional contour, a non-circular base region spaced fromthe shoulder region and having a base upwardly curved U-shapedcross-sectional contour, and a sidewall region extending between theshoulder region and the base region, opposed squeezable panels definedbetween the curved U-shaped contours of the shoulder region and the baseregion, the shoulder region cross-sectional contour being substantiallysimilar to the base region cross-sectional contour, the sidewall havinga cross-sectional contour with dimensions smaller that the shoulderregion cross-sectional contour; wherein the distance from the exposededge of the open end to the shoulder region is less than the distancebetween the shoulder region and the base region.
 41. The container ofclaim 40 wherein the opposed squeezable panels are defined bysubstantially straight walls.